Jehovah s Witnesses Russ Reaves Seminary Extension Piedmont Baptist Association
A Brief History Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916) Dissatisfied with church, became agnostic. Came under influence of 7 th Day Adventism and Christadelphianism and neo-arian heresies. Began to formulate doctrines that differed from orthodox Christianity Rejection of the Trinity, deity of Jesus & Holy Spirit, literal eternal hell, immortality of the soul, physical return of Christ, personality of the Holy Spirit; Emphasis on earning salvation through works and end-time prophecies Hostility toward established Church. Early 1870s Began teaching his ideas to his Bible students.
A Brief History Influenced by Nelson Barbour that Christ had returned invisibly in 1874 to gather the wheat before Armageddon and the establishment of His eternal Kingdom in 1914. 1879 Russell begins Zion s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ s Presence magazine (now Watchtower) Teaches 1874/1914 ideas in magazine, congregations of believers begin to arise.
A Brief History 1881 Founded Zion s Watch Tower Tract Society (became Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society in 1886) 1886-1904 Published 6-volume Studies in the Scriptures, which he claimed were divinely inspired. 7 th volume published in 1917 posthumously Russell believed one could study these volumes to the exclusion of the Bible and have a proper understanding of true Christian beliefs.
A Brief History When 1914 came and went, many JWs were extremely disappointed because God s kingdom had not been set up as promised. They had worked hard spreading the word all over the world, and they were bitterly disillusioned when nothing happened. Rhodes, 80.
A Brief History For a lengthy discussion on the questionable character of C. T. Russell, see Walter Martin s book Kingdom of the Cults, revised and edited by Ravi Zacharias. Today, JWs seek to keep a distance between the organization and Russell s legacy.
A Brief History Judge Joseph F. Rutherford (1869-1942) Former Baptist; had been legal counsel to Russell 1917 - Succeeded Russell as President of Watch Tower +/- 4,000 (20%) members withdrew from the organization because of Rutherford An internal struggle with the board over control Rutherford promoted doctrines that differed from Russell. Controversy over the publication of Russell s 7 th volume. Several splinter groups resulted, including The Dawn Bible Students Association and Layman s Home Missionary Movement.
A Brief History 1919 - Launched Golden Age magazine (now called Awake) Rutherford predicted that in 1925, the OT patriarchs would be resurrected and usher in the righteous government of Jehovah. He built a palace, The House of Princes (Beth Sarim) in San Diego in anticipation of this event. The OT patriarchs never showed up in 1925, and this led to bitter disappointment for many JWs. Rutherford himself ended up spending winters at Beth Sharim with a staff of servants until his death. Rhodes, 82 1931 Assigned the name Jehovah s Witnesses to the organization.
A Brief History Nathan Knorr (1905-1977) Became president in 1942 Emphasis on corporate, rather than individual, leadership After 1942, no JW publications cite an author s name Supervised production of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (1961) Promoted international missions From 1942-1977, membership grew from 113,000 to 2 million; 54 countries to 210.
A Brief History During Knorr s presidency, emphasis was placed on equipping JWs for door-to-door encounters. Previously, they commonly used portable phonographs to play recordings of Rutherford teaching and pitching Watchtower literature. Now, the Witnesses were equipped to answer questions and defend their beliefs themselves. Under Knorr, the JWs began to predict that 1975 would mark the end of human history, Armageddon, and the establishment of the millennial kingdom on earth.
A Brief History Leading up to 1975, many JWs sold their homes, quit their jobs, and devoted all their time to witnessing. From 1976-1978, 390,000 JWs left the Watchtower. In 1976, the Governing Body became the primary controllers of the organization.
A Brief History Frederick W. Franz (1983-1992) Chaired translation committee of NWT Had been chief theologian of JWs before becoming president in 1977 Toward the end of his presidency, several prominent leaders, including his own nephew Raymond (a member of the Governing Body), were forced out for disloyalty because they began questioning the history and teachings of the movement.
A Brief History Milton G. Henschel (1920-2003) A 3 rd Generation JW; served as Knorr s secretary Became president in 1992. Resolved the 1914 dilemma for JWs. After Russell s failed prophecy, JWs had taught that those who were 15 years old in 1914 would live to see the Kingdom established. As this generation aged, the beliefs were changed to be those who were 10, then to those who were babies. Henschel claimed to receive new light and lifted the entire 1914 generation docrine.
A Brief History Henschel resigned as president in 2000 during restructuring, remained a member of the Governing Body until his death. As a result of this restructure, religious and administrative duties passed from the Governing Body to 3 new nonprofits: Kingdom Support Services, the Religious Order of JWs, and the Christian Congregation of JWs. The Governing Body s focus is on the ministry of the Word. They are the biblical and doctrinal authorities on faith and practice.
A Brief History Don A. Adams (1925 - ) A former secretary to Knorr and director of foreign missions. Became president in 2000 More administrative in role than previous leaders. Jehovah s Witnesses Today 2009: 7.3 million publishers in 105,000 congregations in 236 countries 1.15 million in USA
Jehovah s Witnesses and the Bible The Bible is the inspired Word of God It must be interpreted properly, and the Watchtower Society is God s only chosen means for proper interpretation. Watchtower publications are necessary aids for biblical interpretation and contain inspired and authoritative teachings of the movement. One JW said, Your Bible was finished 2,000 years ago, but our Bible has 32 pages added to it every week. Ankerberg, 23
Jehovah s Witnesses and the Bible In 1961, The New World Translation became the official Scripture of JW Prior to that time, the KJV and the Emphatic Diaglott (ED) were used. The ED was published by Christadelphian Benjamin Wilson in 1864 and contained biased interpretations to support his own views, which were shared by Russell and early JWs. At least 5 of the 7 translators of the NWT had no training in Greek. JWs claim they were aided by angels. See handout of problematic renderings in NWT
The Jehovah of Jehovah s Witnesses Jehovah is the One True God. JWs believe that this is His true name. Superstitious Jewish scribes removed His name from the Bible long ago, replacing it with YHWH. The NWT translates YHWH as Jehovah and uses Jehovah to translate divine names and titles in the NT. JWs believe that they are the only true followers of God because they are the only ones who use His true name. They believe that this name means The Purposer He is not omnipresent, but can project His spirit anywhere to accomplish His purpose.
Jehovah Evolution of a Name The God of the Bible is called by many names including what is sometimes called His covenant name is hwhy (YHWH, pronounced Yahweh). This name was revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14-15, related in meaning to I am who I am, from the verb hwh meaning to be, or to become. Because of fear of misrepresenting the name, ancient Jews would not say the name YHWH when they encountered it in the text, but would say Adonai, meaning Lord.
Jehovah Evolution of a Name Over time, some began to insert the vowels from Adonai between the consonants of YHWH and created a new name: YaHoWaH, which became Jehovah. So, it was the superstition of Jewish scribes that led to the invention of the name Jehovah, not the suppression of it. Hebrew does not even have a letter that makes a J sound, except for a soft,ג which is transliterated as G.
Jehovah Evolution of a Name There is no manuscript evidence whatsoever that would indicate the name Jehovah being used in the Hebrew OT or Greek NT. Thus, the NWT is a baseless translation, and JW doctrine of God is based on misinformation. They would simply respond that we have been deceived.
The Trinity JWs believe that the Trinity is unbiblical and Satanic heresy. They do not find it taught anywhere in Scripture They do not find the word Trinity in Scripture They believe that since God is not a God of disorder (1 Cor 14:33) that He would not reveal something so contrary to reason. They believe it was invented by Satan, based on paganism, and canonized as Christian doctrine by Constantine and the Council of Nicea in 325.
The Trinity JWs misrepresent Christian belief in the Trinity in order to deny it more easily. They refer to the Trinity as Three Gods in one God, or three Gods in one person. This is explicitly counter to historic Christian expressions of orthodox faith in the Trinity as One God in three Persons.
A Different Jesus Jesus has existed in three stages. Pre-human There was a time when Jesus did not exist. God created Him as the archangel Michael. He was the first creature made by God, and created everything else for God. He existed in this form for billions of years.
A Different Jesus Human Jesus was born on earth, ceasing to exist as the angel Michael. His life force was transferred into Mary. This was not an incarnation, because Jesus is not God. Rather He was a perfect human being. He was born around October 2, 2 BC. He became the Messiah or Christ at His baptism when He was anointed by the Holy Spirit. He died on a torture stake and not a cross. The cross is said to be a pagan symbol adopted by the church under Satanic influence.
Human A Different Jesus His death was a ransom and atonement, but these terms are used very differently by JWs. They speak of a corresponding ransom, that Adam s sin, committed when he was a perfect man, must be atoned by the death of a perfect man; no more, no less. The atonement does not apply to Adam, since he is a mass-murderer, bringing death to the whole race through his willful sin. The ransom/atonement does not bring salvation but the opportunity for salvation, which must be earned by good works and good character.
A Different Jesus Post-Human The man Jesus is dead, forever dead. Russell He was not physically resurrected. Some believe God removed his body, as with Moses (Dt 34:5-6). Others believe his body dissolved into gasses, or that it is preserved as a memorial to God s love, or that he was annihilated at death. What was raised (or re-created) was a spiritual being, a new Michael, who temporarily materialized in the form of a man to be seen by the disciples.
Post-Human A Different Jesus Because he was raised as a spirit-being, his second coming will be invisible. This occurred in 1914, and since then, Jesus has been reigning in the earth as King through the Watchtower. In summary, Jehovah s witnesses have three Christs, none of whom is equal to Jehovah, and none of whom is the Christ of the Scriptures. Hoekema They believe Jesus was a mighty god, but not the Almighty God. (And yet they believe that the Trinity is polytheistic?).
The Holy Spirit Not God, but rather God s impersonal active force that accomplishes His will in the world. Like electricity: a force that can be adapted to perform a great variety of operations. Holy Spirit is not capitalized in the NWT Not a person, but impersonal. How can one person fill thousands of people at one and the same time? Why does the holy spirit not have a name like the Father and the Son have?
Man Man does not have a soul, but is a soul. The soul, spirit, and body are inseperable. Humans do not possess an immortal soul or spirit that goes on living after death. There is no conscious post-mortem existence until the resurrection, when the body is recreated by God.
Salvation (If you can call it that) JWs speak of salvation by grace, but their doctrines require one to save oneself by works. Their literature affirms: To get one s name written in that Book of Life will depend upon one s works JWs must be working hard for the reward of eternal life. (cited in Rhodes) The atonement makes it possible to earn one s salvation by works. It erases the inherited guilt from Adam, not the personal sins of the individual.
Salvation Assurance can only be found in sinless perfection and total obedience to the Watchtower throughout this life and the Millennium. If one lives in total obedience now, but fails then, he/she will perish.
Two Classes of People The Anointed Class Only 144,000 Jehovah s Witnesses will go to heaven to be with God and Jesus. Only these can be born again and become sons of God Their future existence is not physical, but spiritual. The 144,000 includes the 12 apostles and some other Christians of the first century. According to Rutherford, the rest were all in the fold by 1935. Less than 5,000 of these are still alive today.
Two Classes of People The Other Sheep or Jonadabs All other JWs will live physically and eternally in an earthly paradise. Anyone who was ignorant of Jehovah will be given a second chance to submit to correct teaching and prove themselves worthy of Him in the Millennium. Satan will be loosed at the end of the millennium to test the worthiness of all these. Those who pass this test will live eternally in the earthly paradise.
Those Who are Lost JWs do not believe in a literal hell. They view biblical descriptions of hell as metaphorical of death. Those who are beyond salvation or who fail the final tests of Satan will be annihilated and cease to exist.
Other beliefs No blood transfusions Because of biblical prohibitions against eating blood, JWs believe that whole blood transfusions are also forbidden. JWs carry a card stating that they refuse transfusion. If a JW has a transfusion and is repentant afterward, they can be forgiven. If it is done willfully and without regret, they can no longer be JWs.
Other beliefs Because the Bible only mentions two birthdays (Gen 40:20-22, Matt 14:6-10), and both are for pagans (Pharaoh and Herod), and both resulted in someone being killed, JWs are not to celebrate birthdays. JWs are not to wear Crosses since Jesus died on a stake and crosses are pagan. JWs are prohibited from practicing Christmas, Easter, President s Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, New Years, Mother s Day, etc. Also prohibited: holding government office, voting, saluting a flag, participating in war.
Current Practice JWs are called publishers in reference to their work in door-to-door literature distribution. Faithful JWs spend 10 hours/month in door-to-door work. In 2009, they logged 1,557,788,344 hours of preaching They meet in Kingdom Halls. These are built over a 48-hour weekend by teams of 300 volunteers. 5-6 new ones are built in the US every month. 50 new congregations are established weekly around the world. These are the sites of various services and classes throughout the week.
Staggering Statistics The Watchtower is published twice/month and has a distribution of 16 million in 180 languages. Rivals Readers Digest & TV Guide, surpasses Time, Newsweek, & US News & World Report combined. Awake is published in 80 languages. Over 3 million copies of the NWT are printed each month at the Bethel press in Brooklyn alone. More than 100,000,000 copies of NWT have been distributed.
Witnessing to Witnesses In addition to former comments about Friendship Evangelism, I would add the following: KNOW YOUR BIBLE! JWs are trained to skip from verse to verse, ignoring context, to defend their views. This is how they trip up Christians in conversation. If you know your Bible, you do not need to fear a conversation with them. If possible, use a KJV with them, since prior to 1961, they regarded it is their primary Bible. DO NOT USE a NWT. It is translated with a bias to support their doctrines!
Witnessing to Witnesses Know what you believe and why. A good understanding of systematic, biblical theology goes a LONG way in countering the claims of JWs. Why do we believe Jesus is God? Why do we believe in the Trinity? Why do we believe that the Bible is sufficient in itself to guide us without supporting literature? Why do we believe in hell? If you can t answer these questions, not only will you be ineffective against JWs, but also against others we seek to win! Be sure to carefully define your terms in dialog; insist that they also define their terms. Never assume you mean the same thing. Don t let them use Greek and Hebrew because they don t know it any better than you do. Stick to English.
Witnessing to Witnesses Remember that teams usually consist of a veteran and a rookie. Concentrate on the rookie in conversation. The veteran will try to stop this. Persist! The goal is to cause that rookie to question what they ve been taught. We can leave them in God s hand to water that seed. Share your testimony, share the gospel, and assure them that We can t both be right.
Witnessing to Witnesses One source advises to ask if you can pray with them before you begin. During your prayer, pray the gospel so that you make it clear where you stand from the beginning. Insist on using the Bible only. Remember to keep the burden of proof on their shoulders. They are the ones claiming we are wrong, make them prove it.
Witnessing to Witnesses One source advises to ask if you can pray with them before you begin. During your prayer, pray the gospel so that you make it clear where you stand from the beginning. Insist on using the Bible only. Remember to keep the burden of proof on their shoulders. They are the ones claiming we are wrong, make them prove it.
One Tactic I m not a fan of memorized tactics but I have used this one with JWs in the past. Ask them to read Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (KJV) I am the Alpha and the Omega, says Jehovah God, the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty. (NWT)
One Tactic Ask, Who said this? They can only answer 1 of 2 ways: Jesus if they say this, they re done. They ve just admitted He is Jehovah God, Alpha and Omega, and the Almighty. Jehovah if they say this, ask them to turn to Revelation 21:5-7
One Tactic Revelation 21:5-7 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (KJV) And the One seated on the throne said: Look! I am making all things new. Also, he says: Write, because these words are faithful and true. And he said to me: They have come to pass! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To anyone thirsting I will give from the fountain of the water of life free. Anyone conquering will inherit these things, and I shall be his God and he will be my son. (NWT)
One Tactic Ask again, Who spoke these words? Again, if they say Jesus, game over. If they say Jehovah, say, OK, now turn to Revelation 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (KJV) I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. (NWT)
One Tactic Ask again, Who spoke these words? Again, if they say Jesus, game over. If they say Jehovah, say, OK, now turn to Revelation 1:17-18. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (KJV) And when I saw him, I fell as dead at his feet. And he laid his right hand upon me and said: Do not be fearful. I am the First and the Last, and the living one; and I became dead, but, look! I am living forever and ever, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. (NWT)
One Tactic Ask again, Who spoke these words? Three times they have affirmed that Jehovah God is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last. So, if they say here, Jesus then you can point out that they have just equated Jesus with Jehovah since both are the First and the Last, Alpha and Omega. If they say this also is Jehovah speaking, you can ask them when Jehovah ever died?
One Tactic I don t expect this tactic to lead to a conversion on the spot. But hopefully, it will produce some doubt in their minds that God will use later in their lives. I do expect that they will have an answer for this, but I expect it will be weak. You may or may not pursue the matter further. Overall, I think it is best to just engage in a natural conversation that centers on the Bible and the person of Christ.
Final Pointers PRAY!!! Before, during, and after your encounter. Many JWs are under a spiritual and psychological control that can only be broken by the power of the Holy Spirit, not by our tactics and reasoning. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in what, when and how to speak. Control anger. Talking to JWs can be frustrating. They know that and seek to use it for their purposes. They have been trained to receive your anger as justification that they are right. Be prepared. If you get stumped, or feel as if you are not prepared, or feel that you don t have the necessary time, ask if you can call them to reschedule a visit or an off-site meeting somewhere. Don t be ashamed to ask someone else to join you. They do! See handout